Sermon Tone Analysis

The End Times – Sermon #19

Revelation 7:9-17

A MULTITUDE NO MAN COULD NUMBER

Intro: As we continue to move through the book of the Revelation, we are in the middle of a parenthetical passage.

Chapter seven is inserted into the narrative to allow us to catch a glimpse of the grace of God at work during the most horrible time earth has ever known.

In our last study, we saw the Lord redeem 144,000 Jewish men.

These men were sent out into the entire world to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom to all nations.

In this passage, we will see the fruits of their preaching, as a vast multitude is brought to faith in Jesus Christ and is delivered out of the Great Tribulation.

It comforts my heart to know that the Rapture of the church does not spell the end of people being saved.

I praise the Lord that He intends to redeem a multitude that no man could number during the dark years of the Tribulation Period.

This passage reveals the heart of our great God.

It is in His heart and plan to save sinners, and He is going to do just that during the Tribulation.

The Bible is clear that Jesus Christ came into this world for the sole purpose of saving sinners from their sins, “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” 1 Timothy 1:15.

It is also clear that God intends to save every person who will turn to Jesus by faith, “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out,” John 6:37.

Here is God’s promise to His elect, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance,” 2 Peter 3:9.

That is the heartbeat of God and it can be heard in the verses before us today.

Let’s go back into the heart of the tribulation period and rejoin John in his vision of that terrible time.

In these verses, we are going to learn about a vast multitude of redeemed saints, and we are going to get a glimpse into glory as the curtain is pulled back just a little.

So, let’s take these verses and consider the subject: A Multitude That No Man Could Number.

I want to share some facts about this precious group of saints that are presented in these verses.

I. THE DESCRIPTION OF THIS MULTITUDE-vs.

9-12

A. How They Are Shown-vs.

9

– Reading John’s description of this multitude reveals a number of things about who these people are.

1.

Their Number – They are described as “a multitude which no man could number.”

They are a group of people so vast that John makes no attempt at all to declare their number.

What a wonderful image of the grace of God.

On the Day of Pentecost, 3,000 souls were saved, Acts 2:41.

Some time later, 5,000 were saved on one occasion, Acts 4:4.

We are also told that God “added daily to the church such as should be saved”, Acts 2:47.

I read that and I am amazed at His saving power!

But wait, about 1,000,000 were saved in Nineveh when the entire city repented and turned to faith in God, Jonah 3:5-10.

Praise God for His saving grace.

Even more amazing than that is the story of Israel’s exodus from Egypt.

Over 3,000,000 were saved by grace when they placed the blood on the doorposts of their houses by faith, Ex. 12.

All of these great demonstrations of the powerful, saving grace of God pale in comparison to what He will do during the Tribulation Period!

God will save a multitude that will number in the multiplied millions!

Praise God for His grace!

2. Their Nationalities – We are told that they come from “all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues”.

Here is a multitude that knows no racial, economic, social, or national distinctions.

The Gospel has been preached worldwide, without respect to any people group and a vast multitude is saved.

They are Gentiles and they have been saved by grace.

In the first nine verses of this chapter, God dealt with Jews.

Now, He extends His grace to the Gentile nations of the world.

(Note: I praise the Lord that the Gospel of grace is a message that applies to all people everywhere.

We have our prejudices and we judge people by the color of their skin; by their ethnic background; by how they were raised; and by many other foolish, ignorant standards.

God, however, holds no such prejudices!

He will save any soul that will come to Him by faith!

I praise God that it is that way.

After all, if Jesus was a racist, us white folks would be in trouble!)

(Note: I would also like to remind us that the Gospel message is not a Baptist message either.

You may have heard the old story about a wall in Heaven, and behind that wall there was a group of people just shouting and praising the Lord.

One fellow, who was new to Heaven, asked another fellow what was going on behind that wall.

The man answered, “Oh, that’s the Baptists, they think they are the only ones up here!”

There are some Baptists who think that way!

I have been accused of being so narrow-minded that I think only the Baptists are going.

Well, I am even more narrow-minded than that!

I don’t believe that all Baptists are going!

I praise the Lord that it isn’t just the Baptists that are going to Heaven!

Any person who will believe the Gospel, anywhere in this world will be saved and will go to Heaven.

But, I still praise the Lord that I am a Baptist!

If someone asked me what I would be if I was not a Baptist, I would reply that “I’d be ashamed!”

I don’t think the Baptists are right about everything, just most things!

I am a Baptist because I think they are closer to the truth than any other group on earth.

I know that being a Baptist won’t get me to Heaven.

The difference between being a Baptist and being anything else is the difference between driving a Chevy and a Rolls-Royce.

That was a public service announcement.

Now, back to the message.)

3. Their Natures – Some people look at this multitude and see the church.

This multitude is not the church!

First, they are “standing”.

When the church is shown in Heaven, they are sitting, Rev. 4:4.

Second, this crowd was saved out of “Great Tribulation”, v. 14.

The church will be saved from that terrible time of wrath and judgment, 1 Thes.

1:10; Rom.

5:9; Rev. 3:10.

While they are not the church, their appearance and condition in Heaven is clearly described.

a.

They Are Virtuous – They are “clothed with white robes”.

This is always a picture of righteousness in the Bible.

These people are saved by grace and they have been rendered righteous.

That is the promise of God to all who will come to Jesus Christ by faith, 1 John 1:7; Isa.

1:18.

He is in the saving and cleansing business!

(Note: I praise the name of the Lord that the blood of Jesus is able to reconcile us to God.

When Jesus died, the wall of separation that had been erected by sin was forever torn down and now, we can be reconciled with God, Eph.

1:6-7; Rom.

5:10; 2 Cor.

5:18-20; Eph.

2:16.)

b.

They Are Victorious – These redeemed saints have palm branches in their hands.

Palms are a symbol of victory.

The crowds waved palm branches and placed them in the road as Jesus entered Jerusalem 2,000 years ago, John 12:13.

These saints are celebrating the great victory that was given to them over sin, Satan and the power of the Antichrist.

They have overcome and they enjoy the spoils of the victory they have been given.

B. What They Shout-vs.

10

– These saints lift their voices in an anthem of praise to their Redeemer for His redemption.

They know that they are in Heaven for one reason and for one reason only.

They are there because of the grace of God and the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.

They praise Him for His great grace!

(Note: If there was ever a reason for praise, it is the grace of God and the sacrifice of Jesus for our sins!

His salvation is the one reason for praise that all saints share.